The mind of a child is almost incomprehensible to the elders of the world, who once occupied their perspective but developed past the splendor of youthful simplicity and hardened to the realism of the world. Children are physically and mentally fragile and deserved to be protected like porcelain while their innocence remains untainted. It is important to remember the qualities needed to understand and relate to them, especially in educational settings. As a camp counselor in a children’s summer program, I am aware of the gentility and patience required to foster a positive learning environment for the campers’ age groups. I reflect on how my early education has helped shaped the learner I have become and cannot help but recall some of the bumps in the road along journey. As most former and current students can empathize, I have had my share of negative learning events in my academic career, one of which has engraved itself upon my memory. My experience with my first grade teacher, Ms. McGee, was unforgettable and the recollection continues to influence me.
Sparkling before me in all its natural splendor, a glitter-embellished pack of Sleeping Beauty stickers rested upon Ms. McGee’s desk. A magnetic force practically forced my seven-year old hands to their glimmering surface, stroking my fingers along the course, raised texture. Forgetting the pencil I had gone to sharpen, I slowly peeled back the sticker, liberating it from the plastic backing. I adhered my newest prized possession firmly to the front of my shirt and began to walk back to my desk to rejoin the rest of my class with a bit more skip in my step.
I remember vividly the tapping of Ms. McGee’s shoes in front of my table, an accusation in each tap against the white linoleum. Upon seeing the icy rage etched into the lines of her face, a fresh coating of guilt set like lead in the pit of my stomach.
“JUNIE COELHO, did you steal my personal property right off my desk?!” She interrogated in front of all my classmates. I wished the sticker adorned visibly on my chest would vanish. I felt like a criminal, mortified, ashamed; I knew I could never show my face in school ever again. Recess was taken away from me that day as a consequence for my larcenist actions. I think the best word to describe this experience would be “traumatizing.”
A phone call home was also part of my punishment, Ms. McGee obviously not expecting the reception on the other end of the receiver. My parents found the measures this teacher went to to publicly discipline a seven-year old absolutely ridiculous. She turned out not to be a very kind woman causing my parents to complain to the principle for mistreating her young students. Apparently they had not been the first to criticize her methods and I was switched out of her class into that of Ms. Morrisey’s, a much kinder and warm-hearted teacher.
The impact Ms. McGee had on my behavior in academic settings was ever-lasting. I was not disobedient or misbehaved before this point in time but her distasteful tactics acted as a reinforcement for polite behavior throughout my school career. It has been thirteen years and I am still intimidated by authority figures. I suppose in a way I should be thankful towards Ms. McGee; my fear of a teacher chastising me has kept me in line and compelled me to be extra attentive during lessons. Although originating from fright, in time I transformed into a student who genuinely cared about what my teachers had to say and the knowledge they strove to pass on.
Reflecting back on my elementary school memories, it is remarkable to perceive how I have grown as a student and person. The mind of a child is so straightforward and pure, I observed life in a completely different, and now inscrutable, way. The five minute reprimand of my first grade teacher provided enough damage to my first grade psyche that the memory has remained with me for over a decade. It is important to consider the limitations of all ages of children and cater to their specific needs. When I become a teacher I will make certain that I do not lose insight toward this crucial element of educating. And I will provide my students with all the Disney stickers they want.
Sparkling before me in all its natural splendor, a glitter-embellished pack of Sleeping Beauty stickers rested upon Ms. McGee’s desk. A magnetic force practically forced my seven-year old hands to their glimmering surface, stroking my fingers along the course, raised texture. Forgetting the pencil I had gone to sharpen, I slowly peeled back the sticker, liberating it from the plastic backing. I adhered my newest prized possession firmly to the front of my shirt and began to walk back to my desk to rejoin the rest of my class with a bit more skip in my step.
I remember vividly the tapping of Ms. McGee’s shoes in front of my table, an accusation in each tap against the white linoleum. Upon seeing the icy rage etched into the lines of her face, a fresh coating of guilt set like lead in the pit of my stomach.
“JUNIE COELHO, did you steal my personal property right off my desk?!” She interrogated in front of all my classmates. I wished the sticker adorned visibly on my chest would vanish. I felt like a criminal, mortified, ashamed; I knew I could never show my face in school ever again. Recess was taken away from me that day as a consequence for my larcenist actions. I think the best word to describe this experience would be “traumatizing.”
A phone call home was also part of my punishment, Ms. McGee obviously not expecting the reception on the other end of the receiver. My parents found the measures this teacher went to to publicly discipline a seven-year old absolutely ridiculous. She turned out not to be a very kind woman causing my parents to complain to the principle for mistreating her young students. Apparently they had not been the first to criticize her methods and I was switched out of her class into that of Ms. Morrisey’s, a much kinder and warm-hearted teacher.
The impact Ms. McGee had on my behavior in academic settings was ever-lasting. I was not disobedient or misbehaved before this point in time but her distasteful tactics acted as a reinforcement for polite behavior throughout my school career. It has been thirteen years and I am still intimidated by authority figures. I suppose in a way I should be thankful towards Ms. McGee; my fear of a teacher chastising me has kept me in line and compelled me to be extra attentive during lessons. Although originating from fright, in time I transformed into a student who genuinely cared about what my teachers had to say and the knowledge they strove to pass on.
Reflecting back on my elementary school memories, it is remarkable to perceive how I have grown as a student and person. The mind of a child is so straightforward and pure, I observed life in a completely different, and now inscrutable, way. The five minute reprimand of my first grade teacher provided enough damage to my first grade psyche that the memory has remained with me for over a decade. It is important to consider the limitations of all ages of children and cater to their specific needs. When I become a teacher I will make certain that I do not lose insight toward this crucial element of educating. And I will provide my students with all the Disney stickers they want.